Rockhampton batonbearers prepare to share Commonwealth Games dream

by Sophia Czarkowski on 24th October 2017

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) has announced the local batonbearers from the Rockhampton Region who will carry the Queen’s Baton during the 100-day countdown to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Across the community, hundreds of people will get the opportunity to engage with the Baton as it spends quality time in the region, arriving in Rockhampton on Friday 23 March 2018.

From youngsters to community leaders and even some of Australia’s most accomplished legends, the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) recognises the achievements and aspirations of Australians from all walks of life.

Collectively across the country, batonbearers will take more than a million steps to bring the Baton to its final destination, the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.

The uniquely designed Baton starts its Australian journey on 25 December 2017, 100 days before the Opening Ceremony. For one month during the school summer holidays, the Queen’s Baton will visit major events, iconic landmarks and children’s hospitals.

From Canberra on 25 January 2018, the Baton will switch gears to a traditional Relay and be carried by great Australians through QBR celebration communities around the country.

Street level and community celebration details will be announced on 17 November.

Since its launch with Rockhampton Olympic Cyclist, Anna Meares OAM, from Buckingham Palace on 13 March 2017, the Baton has inspired athletes and fans across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Currently it is in Malaysia and is set to visit the remaining 15 Commonwealth nations in Asia and Oceania before arriving in Brisbane on Christmas Eve.

It will be 60 years since a Baton first carried Her Majesty’s message to athletes of the Commonwealth at the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Wales.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said this is an historic moment for not only the Commonwealth Games but also for the people of Rockhampton who will share baton with Rockhampton Hockey legend Mark Knowles, former Cycling Olympian Kenrick Tucker and cyclist Kerrie Meares.

“Having our Golden Girl, Anna Meares, launch the baton at Buckingham Palace really strengthens Rockhampton’s involvement from the very start of this event, and to complement this, we have a fantastic list of batonbearers who I know will proudly take the Queen’s Baton through Rockhampton,” Mayor Strelow said.

“This will be an incredible moment for our batonbearers and our community, so I strongly encourage everyone to mark their calendar for March 23 and join us on the journey of the Queen’s baton.”

GOLDOC, for the first time, has also showcased the uniforms batonbearers will wear today.